Trump ‘knows something’ about impending indictment: Michael Cohen

Donald Trump’s longtime lawyer Michael Cohen has speculated the former president ‘knows something’ that hasn’t been revealed to the public about an impending indictment in the wake investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.

On Saturday morning, Trump wrote in a Truth Social article that he believed he would be arrested on Tuesday as part of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s investigation into an alleged silent payment made to the adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Daniels alleged she had an affair with the former president in 2006, which Trump denied.

Bragg’s office reportedly completed the investigation in recent weeks, with legal analysts expecting him to indict Trump in the coming weeks. The investigation focused on a $130,000 refund paid to Daniels by Cohen, who turned against Trump and cooperated with investigators throughout the investigation. Cohen’s testimony is considered key to the case, as he previously pleaded guilty to violating campaign finance laws for payment.

Trump has previously described the investigation as a politically motivated witch hunt aimed at damaging his 2024 presidential bid.

“THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE AND FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL BE ARRESTED ON TUESDAY NEXT WEEK. PROTEST, TAKE BACK OUR NATION!” Trump wrote on his social media platform.

Meanwhile, Cohen tweeted that he thought Trump’s remarks revealed he might have more information on the indictment. He didn’t give details of what the former president might know, although Trump’s attorneys met with prosecutors earlier this month, NBC News reported last week.

“‘The absurd rantings of a mad mind’ (quote from Young Frankenstein). #DiaperDonald clearly knows something that has yet to be revealed to the public!” Cohen wrote.

Trump’s ‘protest’ call comes after analysts warn of potential violence

Speculation that New York prosecutors are preparing to indict Trump grew this week after Bragg’s office offered the former president the chance to testify before the grand jury in the case, which is widely seen as the final stage of an investigation. Trump, however, declined to testify.

Meanwhile, WNBC reported Friday that local officials had begun security preparations ahead of the expected indictment.

Legal experts have warned of the possibility of violence if Trump is indicted. Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani has previously said Newsweek that prosecutors are likely considering the potential for violence from Trump supporters.

“This will be the most politically charged lawsuit in American history,” Rahmani said. “Things like security and how to deal with it – you don’t do something like that unless you plan to go all the way to Trump.”

MSNBC legal analyst Glenn Kirschner also warned of the possibility of a “violent attack” if Trump is indicted, predicting at the time that the first indictment would come from a Georgia investigation into his conduct around the 2020 presidential election in February.

“Here’s what I predict, Dean. On the day that Donald Trump is indicted and is due to appear for an arraignment on this indictment, his first court appearance, he’ll issue ‘Come to Atlanta the day I’m indicted.’ charge. Will be wild,” Kirschner said. “Here we go again.”

Trump has not yet been charged with a crime and has denied any wrongdoing. Trump’s attorney, Joseph Tacopina, previously said there was no legal basis for the case, telling The Associated Press: “To me, it’s much ado about nothing. It’s just another example of those arming the justice system against him. And that’s kind of unfair.”

Newsweek contacted Trump’s campaign press office by email for comment.